Nikki Garcia points out that Artem Chigvintsev failed to get help or change

When Nikki Garcia first spoke about her bitter divorce from “Dancing With the Stars” pro Artem Chigvintsev, she apparently didn’t want to go into broad details for “privacy” reasons.

But the retired WWE star and Napa County resident still gave plenty of clues about why she was unhappy in her marriage for a “long time” during a Monday episode of her podcast “The Nikki & Brie Show” with her twin sister Brie Garcia.

Nikki Garcia also alluded to factors she said contributed to the “shocking” domestic violence incident on August 29 that allegedly took place at her Yountville home. The incident led to Chigvintsev’s arrest on suspicion of assault on a spouse, although Napa County prosecutors later declined to file charges and the dancer and his attorney claimed Garcia was the primary perpetrator.

Whatever happened between the ex-couple, Garcia said the incident made her feel “betrayed” and spurred her to file for divorce after two years of marriage.

Speaking about being “so deeply” in love that she would have done “anything” for Chigvintsev, Garcia said: “And when something like that happens and you feel so betrayed. You’re just trying to figure it out, you’re feeling so many different emotions. The whole day was just shocking.”

Presumably for “privacy reasons,” Garcia, 41, then indirectly referred to the Russian-born ballroom dancer, 42, as “her” instead of “him,” as she said: “I still wanted great things for her.” that they heal. I wanted them to get help.”

Garcia also referred to Matteo, their four-year-old son. “I wanted them to be the best version of themselves because that’s what my son deserves. I don’t want to drag my son’s father along. I want my son to have the greatest father ever because that’s what my son deserves.”

But Garcia kind of “tore apart” her son’s father when she suggested on the podcast that a certain person was having a mid-life crisis about their career and future. She said: “I understand people’s journeys: ‘mid-life.’ Everything you knew came to an end. I’m afraid of the future. I’m this age, how do I start over?’”

These comments echo claims Garcia made in divorce papers in October, when she claimed that her husband had been “cut” from the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars” a week before the domestic violence incident, and she said he began, “I worked construction and felt it was beneath him.”

“Since being cut from ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Artem has become increasingly angry, snapping at me and yelling,” Garcia claimed, according to People. “We discussed his need to control his anger.”

Chigvintsev subsequently countered those claims, saying he was still getting work as a professional dancer after “Dancing With the Stars,” TMZ reported last month.

“It is not true that I have not found other work as a dancer,” Chigvintsev said in court documents, as also reported by the Daily Mail.

But after Chigvintsev’s arrest “based on her false accusations,” his mugshot was released to the public, resulting in the loss of his job, he said. In those court papers, Chigvintsev also complained that Garcia’s career did not suffer as a result of the incident, even though “she mistreated me and not the other way around.”

“I can’t trust her anymore,” Chigvintsev continued, according to court documents. “Not only did she lie to the police to keep her career intact and ruin my career, but she also used the court case to keep our son away from me for almost a month and wouldn’t let me see him until the court was 50/50 decided orders on October 15, 2024, for which I am very grateful.”

Both Chigvintsev and Garcia received protective orders against each other following his arrest, but both orders were lifted when they finalized their divorce last month.

Garcia insisted on the podcast that she “didn’t want to see anyone’s career destroyed” and said she only ever acted with “love and grace” because “I loved that person so much.”

She also offered advice for other women who may be staying in a “toxic,” unhappy relationship – either for the sake of their children or because they don’t want to give up their “dream” of a “great love story.” and an “incredible love.”

“I wanted it for Matteo,” Garcia said, referring to her son. “You fight for your children. I really tried hard. We both just didn’t bring out the best in each other.”

“(But) if you’re in a marriage with children and you’re waiting for the other person to change, for the person to go back to who they were years ago, that person isn’t going to come back,” Garcia continued. “This change will not happen. Don’t wear yourself out waiting for it.”

“It was really hard,” Garcia also said during the episode. “I was heartbroken. Sad. You know, you dream of having this family and you have this incredible love and it just goes the other way. And a great love story turns into a terrible one. And I never expected that as far as the ending.”

In fact, Garcia and Chigvintsev appeared to be living a “great love story,” certainly a version involving two reality TV show celebrities.

They met while appearing together on Dancing With the Stars and began dating during season 25 in 2017. They started dating and got engaged in 2020. That year, Garcia also gave birth to their son Matteo.

Apparently at Garcia’s behest, the couple moved to Napa Valley in 2020 after she retired from professional wrestling. They married in 2022.

In Napa Valley, Garcia collaborated with Brie, who is also her former wrestling partner, in producing wine under the Bonita Bonita wine brand. The sisters’ Bonita Bonita wine website said they were “families in a place they love and living their dream.”

The “Total Bellas” alum admitted it was a “struggle” dealing with the divide in public perception as people were fed “lies” about her. That’s one of the reasons she decided to speak out on Monday’s podcast episode.

“I know the truth and have actually lived it,” Garcia told her sister. “People don’t know what I’ve been through and what I’m going through and there’s always going to be people who just assume things and say things and then, you know, when they’re fed lies, it’s you.” Me will make people believe things too. I just need to focus on my healing. I have to focus on Matteo’s healing.”